Corner lock construction



Nov. 7, 1967 c. L. BECKMAN CORNER LOCK CONSTRUCTION Filed Dec. 20, 1965 FIGZ HM f5 43 FIGS FIGS INVENTOR (2.. LEE BECKMAN ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,351,367 CORNER LOCK CONSTRUCTION C. Lee Beckman, Elida, Ohio, assignor to Lennon Industries Inc., a corporation of Iowa Filed Dec. 20, 1965, Ser. No. 515,110 4 Claims. (Cl. 287--l89.36)

ABSTRACT OF THE DISQLUSURE A corner lock arrangement for joining mitered frame sections having a pair of parallel flanges extending from one side at right angles to the frame sections. A generally L-shaped corner lock is disposed in the channel defined by the flanges. A locking lug struck from each outermost flange engages in an associated recess in the corner lock for drawing the ends of the frame sections tightly together. Clamping lugs are struck from each of the flanges and bent over from opposite sides to retain the corner lock.

This invention relates to frame structures for grilles or the like and, more particularly, to an improved corner lock construction for interconnecting adjacent ends of the frame sections defining the frame.

Grilles and registers are commonly used in the air supply or return opening in a room to properly control air distribution into the room. Such grilles and registers include a frame within which is supported a plurality of curved or straight blades that may be adjusted so .as to deflect the air flow as desired. The frame may be formed from a single sheet of metal or from separate frame sections interconnected at the ends. This invention is concerned with the latter type of frame construction wherein the ends are mechanically interconnected by means of a corner lock and the invention is adapted for frames for grilles, registers, ceiling diffusers and a variety of frames used as accessories or component parts of grilles or registers.

In one type of prior art structure, as exemplified for example in Radcliff Patent No. 3,125,944, the frame is comprised of a plurality of generally L-shaped frame sections joined at the ends by a mitered joint. One leg of each frame section lies generally parallel to a wall of the room and the other leg is perpendicular thereto. A flange extends perpendicularly to each leg of each frame section. Thus, the flanges on each frame section extend perpendicularly to one another and define a channel into which the corner lock must be inserted from an end. Portions of the outermost flange are then bent over to secure the corner lock in place. In use, it has been found that this corner lock construction is somewhat cumbersome to assemble since the corner locks are inserted into the channels from the ends. Further, the ends of the frame secthe grille were fabricated from a material such as anodized aluminum and the corner lock assembly were properly made (without deformation of the exterior surface), the

grille frame could be boxed and shipped without further surface finishing.

An object of this invention is to provide a grille frame with an improved corner lock construction wherein the adjacent ends of the frame sections are tightly drawn toward one another during fabrication of the grille frame to produce a tight joint that is neat appearing.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved corner lock construction for a grille frame, such corner lock construction comprising a plurality of grille sections, generally L-shaped in transverse cross section, with a pair of flanges extending perpendicularly from one leg of the grille section in parallel relationship to one another to define a channel, a corner lock disposed in the channels in adjacent frame sections, and cooperating means on the flanges and on the corner lock for drawing the adjacent ends of the frame section together to define a tight corner during assembly and for clamping the corner lock securely in place in the channels. Other objects and advantages of this invention will become more apparent hereinafter.

The invention will be made most manifest and particularly pointed out in clear, concise and exact terms in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a grille embodying the corner lock construction of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged rear detail view of a corner of the grille shown in FIG. 1, illustrating the corner lock construction prior to final assembly;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged rear detail view of a corner of the grille, illustrating the corner lock construction after staking of the corner lock in place;

FIG. 4 is a cross section of the along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a cross section of the along the line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a detail view of the corner lock construction, illustrating the struck out portion on the flange for tightening the joint between adjacent ends of frame sections, taken generally along the line 6-6 of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 7 is an enlarged rear detail view of a grille, illustrating a modified corner lock construction wherein serrations are provided in the clamping lug means or tabs on one wall for engaging with serrations in a corner lock.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a grille It} embodying the corner lock construction of the present invention. The grille ltl comprises a plurality of frame sections 12, 14-, 16 and 18 each having their ends cut at a 45 degree angle to define mitered joints at adjacent ends of the respective frame sections. The grille frame is usually rectangular as shown in FIG. 1 or it may be square. Suitably connected between the frame sections 14 and 18 are a plurality of vanes or blades 2t) that may be adjustably mounted for rotation about substantially horizontal axes extending through the length of the blades 20. In use, it will be understood that the grille 10 may be disposed in an air outlet opening in the wall of a room to be treated. The conditioned air will pass through the grille 1t) and will be suitably deflected by the blades 2th to provide the desired air distribution pattern.

The frame sections 12, 14, 15 and 18, which are L- shaped in transverse cross section, may be made from a suitable lightweight material such as aluminum. The material may be prefinished, as for example, by anodizing, so that after assembly of a grille 1t utilizing the prlnciples of this invention, there need not be any further finishing. Frame sections 12, 14, 16 and 11.8 are each prefera'bly formed from elongated generally L-shaped structural members notched out or cut at 45 degree angles with respect to the longitudinal axis of the stock in order to provide the mitered joint when adjacent ends of a pair of frame sections are brought into engagement with one another.

Turning now to FIGS. 26, there is illustrated a presently preferred embodiment of corner lock construction. The legs of the frame sections disposed in a common plane are designated by the letter a and the legs of the frame sections extending perpendicularly thereto are 'denominated by the letter [2. Extending perpendicularly from the leg 12a of the frame section 12 are a pair of flanges 26 and 28, which are in parallel spaced relationship to one grille taken generally grille taken generally another to define a groove or channel therebetween. Similarly, flanges 32 and 34 extend perpendicularly from leg 18a of frame section 18 and are spaced apart to define a groove or channel 36. It will be noted that the innermost flanges 2S and 34 are spaced from the respective legs 12b and 18b which extend perpendicularly to the legs 12a and 18a, respectively.

Since the walls or flanges which define the channels 30 and 36 are parallel to one another, an L-shaped corner lock 40 may readily be disposed in the grooves or channels as indicated in FIGS. 2 and 4. The corner lock 40, which may be formed from a suitable rigid material such as aluminum or steel, is generally L-shaped. The area intermediate the joinder of the arms 40a and 40b of the corner lock 40 may be ribbed as indicated at 41 for strength. Recesses 42, 43, respectively, are provided in the arms 40a, 40b, respectively, of the corner lock 40. Each recess 42, 43, respectively, includes a wall 44, 45, respectively, which is disposed at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of each arm 4% and 40b, respectively. As seen in FIG. 2, each wall 44 and 45 forms an acute angle of approximately 60 degrees with the longitudinal axis of each arm of the corner lock. Also, provided in the outer side of the arms 40a and 40b, respectively, are serrations 46 and 47 for a purpose to be made more apparent hereafter.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 6, there is illustrated the means for drawing the adjacent ends of the sections 12 and 18 tightly toward one another. Such means comprise lug means struck from the outermost flanges 26 and 32 and adapted to engage with recesses in the corner lock. Locking lug 50 is struck out from the flange 32 which defines the channel 36 and bent inwardly along an axis generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the wall or flange 32. Likewise, lug 52 is struck out from the flange 26. The lugs 50 and 52 engage within the recesses 42 and 43, respectively, in abutment with the angled 'walls 44 and 45, respectively. The pressure exerted by the lugs against the angled walls 44 and 45, respectively, of the recesses 42 and 43, causes the ends of the frame sections 12 and 18 to be drawn tightly to one another.

Lug means 56 and 58, formed from the flanges 32 and 26, respectively, are bent over the arms of the corner lock 40 along axes generally parallel to the axes of the respective arms 40a and 40b to firmly engage the corner lock 40 in place within the channels. Simultaneously with the bending of the clamping lug means '56 and 58 into engagement with the corner lock, the lug means 60 and 62 on the flanges 34 and 28, respectively, are bent over the corner lock to retain the corner lock in place in the channels and to cause the front surfaces of legs 12a and 18a to be in a continuous flat plane. The mitered joint is flat and smooth. Since flanges 28 and 34 are spaced from the legs 12b and 18b, the die for forming lug means or clamping tabs 60 and 62 can be readily positioned during assembly of each corner of the grille.

In FIGS. 4 and 5, there are illustrated detail crosssectional views of the corner lock construction before assembly and after assembly of the grille. It is seen from FIG. 4 that the flanges '32 and 34 are parallel to one another and define a groove or channel 30 for receiving the corner lock 40. The corner lock may readily be positioned in the channel 30 by supporting the corner lock 40 over the legs 18a and 12a, with the plane through the corner lock being parallel to the plane of the leg 18a. The corner lock may then be dropped into the channels in each of the adjacent frame sections. In FIG. 5, there is illustrated the lug means 56 and 6d staked over or clamped to the corner lock 40 for securely retaining the corner lock 40 in the channels. It will be understood that each joint defined by abutting ends of the frame sections is formed in the same manner as above described with respect to the joint between frame sections 12 and 18.

In FIG. 7, there is illustrated a modified form of the present corner lock construction wherein serrations 76 and 71 are provided in the lug means 56 and 58, respectively, for engaging with the serrations 46 and 47 in the arms 40a and 40b of the corner lock 40. The cooperation of the serrations on the clamping tabs 56 and 58, respectively, with the serrations in the arms 46a and 40b, respectively, provides for firmer interengagement of the clamping tabs 56 and 58 With the arms 40a and 4012.

There has been provided by the present invention an improved frame for a grille or the like which includes a novel corner lock construction having means for positively drawing the frame sections tightly together during assembly of the grille frame. The cooperating means for effecting a tight and aesthetically pleasing joint include recesses defined in the arms of the corner lock and cooperating struck out portions on the outermost flanges defining the channels for the corner lock. Additional lug means are formed from the flanges defining the channels for securing the corner lock in place within the channels. Use of the present corner lock construction in a grille results in a tight joinder of adjacent ends of frame sections defining the grille frame, with no deformation of the exterior surface of the frame sections resulting from assembly of the corner lock in place or from staking of the corner lock in place between adjacent frame ends. The novel corner lock construction is easily and inexpensively made.

While there has been shown and described a particular embodiment of this invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention and, therefore, it is intended in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

'1. In a frame comprised of a plurality of frame sections generally L-shaped in transverse cross section, the frame sections being formed to define mitered joints, with adjacent ends of a pair of frame sections being interconnected by means of a corner lock, the improvement comprising an improved corner lock construction wherein each frame section has a pair of flanges extending perpendicularly outwardly from one leg thereof, said flanges being parallel to one another along the length of each frame section to define a channel therebetween, said corner lock being comprised of a pair of arms extending perpendicularly to one another, each arm "being disposed in a channel of an adjacent frame section, means defining a recess in each arm of the corner lock, first lug means struck from one of the flanges on each frame section for engaging with the recesses in the corner lock, each lug means cooperating with an angled wall in each recess disposed at an acute angle with the longitudinal axis of each arm for drawing adjacent ends of the frame sections toward one another to tightly join adjacent ends of the frame sections in abutting relationship said first lug means comprising a locking lug on each outermost flange bent inwardly along an axis generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of each outermost flange and abutting a wall of each of said recesses, and second lug means formed from the flanges on each frame section for securing the corner lock in place in the channels, said second lug means comprising clamping lugs formed from each of the flanges of each frame section and bent into clamping engagement with the corner lock from opposite sides of the corner lock.

2. In a frame comprised of a plurality of frame sections generally Is-shaped in transverse cross section, the frame sections being formed to define mitered joints, with adjacent ends of a pair of frame sections being interconnected by means of a corner lock, the improvement comprising an improved corner lock construction wherein each frame section has a pair of flanges extending outwardly from one leg thereof, said flanges being parallel to one another along the length of each frame sect-ion to define a channel therebetween, said corner lock being comprised of a pair of arms extending perpendicularly to one another, each arm being disposed in a channel of an adjacent frame section, said corner lock being provided with serrations along one side of each arm, means defining a recess in each arm of the corner lock, first lug means comprising a locking lug struck from the outermost one of the flanges on each frame section for engaging a wall of an associated recess in the corner lock for drawing adjacent ends of the frame sections toward one another to tightly join adjacent ends of the frame sections in abutting relationship, and second lug means formed from the flanges on each frame section for securing the corner lock in place in the channels, said second lug means comprising portions struck out from the outermost flange of each frame section and having complementary serrations for engagement with the serrations in said corner lock and other portions struck from the innermost flange and bent into clamping engagement with the corner lock.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,013,698 1/1912 Tashjian 52-6 3 1,746,201 2/1930 Tashjian 287-189.36 2,101,349 12/1937 Sharp 287-18936 2,776,735 1/1957 Bancroft 2871'89.36 2,861,659 11/1958 Hagerty et a1. 287189.36

EDWARD C. ALLEN, Primary Examiner. 

2. IN A FRAME COMPRISED OF PLURALITY OF FRAME SECTIONS GENERALLY L-SHAPED IN TRANSVERSE CROSS SECTION, THE FRAME SECTIONS BEING FORMED TO DEFINE MITERED JOINTS, WITH ADJACENT ENDS OF A PAIR OF FRAME SECTIONS BEING INTERCONNECTED BY MEANS OF A CORNER LOCK, THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING AN IMPROVED CORNER LOCK CONSTRUCTION WHEREIN EACH FRAME SECTION HAS A PAIR OF FLANGES EXTENDNG OUTWARDLY FROM ONE LEG THEREOF, SAID FLANGES BEING PARALLEL TO ONE ANOTHER ALONG THE LENGTH OF EACH FRAME SECTION TO DEFINE A CHANNEL THEREBETWEEN, SAID CORNER LOCK BEING COMPRISED OF A PAIR OF ARMS EXTENDING PERPENDICULARLY TO ONE ANOTHER, EACH ARM BEING DISPOSED IN A CHANNEL OF AN ADJACENT FRAME SECTION, SAID CORNER LOCK BEING PROVIDED WITH SERRATIONS ALONG ONE SIDE OF EACH ARMS, MEANS DEFINING A RECESS IN EACH ARM OF THE CORNER LOCK, FIRST LUGMEANS COMPRISING A LOCKING LUG STRUCK FROM THE OUTERMOST ONE OF THE FLANGES ON EACH FRAME SECTION FOR ENGAGING WALL OF AN ASSOCIATED RECESS IN THE CORNER LOCK FOR DRAWING ADJACENT ENDS OF THE FRAME SECTIONS TOWARD ONE ANOTHER TO TIGHTLY JOIN ADJACENT ENDS OF THE FRAME SECTIONS IN ABUTTING RELATIONSHIP, AND SECOND LUG MEANS FORMED FROM THE FLANGES ON EACH FRAME SECTION FOR SECURING THE CORNER LOCK IN PLACE IN THE CHANNEL, SAID SECOND LUG MEANS COMPRISING PORTIONS STRUCK OUT FROM THE OUTERMOST FLANGE OF EACH FRAME SECTION AND HAVING COMPLEMENTARY SERRATION FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH THE SERRATIONS IN SAID CORNER LOCK AND OTHER PORTIONS STRUCK FROM THE INNERMOST FLANGE AND BENT INTO CLAMPING ENGAGEMENT WITH THE CORNER LOCK. 